RADIAL ARM SAW
What this tool is primarily used for:

The Radial Arm Saw is particularly good for fast, convenient, and accurate crosscutting (whereas the Table Saw is better for ripping). The Radial Arm Saw is also very useful for making many kinds of joint cuts such as dado or stop dado. The advantage of this saw is that all cutting is done from the top, making layout lines clearly visible
 

ALWAYS USE APPROPRIATE PPE WHEN USING THIS MACHINE

SAFETY FOR THIS MACHINE:
  • THIS TOOL IS LOCKED OUT and is only accessible to students who are working with trained users
  • DO NOT operate while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication
  • SECURE any loose fitting jewelry or clothing, tie back long hair - they can get caught in moving parts
  • DO NOT modify machine to cut without the safety devices. Guard should be used at all times
  • DO NOT adjust guard until blade comes to a complete stop
  • DO NOT start saw with wood touching the saw blade
  • ALWAYS BE AWARE of where your fingers are in relation to the cutting blade
  • DO NOT start cutting until the blade is moving at full speed
  • DO NOT REMOVE jammed wood while saw is still on. Turn off power and wait until the blade completely stops
  • DO NOT FORCE the saw blade into the wood too quickly
  • DO NOT perform any cutting operation freehand, that is without using the fence to support or guide the work
  • RE-TIGHTEN all levers after making any adjustments to the angle of saw
  • TURN OFF machine if you need to step away for a moment
  • TURN OFF POWER when done cutting and do not leave until the blade has come to a complete stop
  • TURN ON the dust collector when using this tool. Make sure the blast gate is open for the radial arm saw and the blast gates for the miter saw is closed
  • REFER to instruction manual for further information (see Studio Technician)

Personal Protection Equipment while working with the Radial Arm Saw

Head/Face or Eye

Clothing
Hands
Feet
 Ears
Respirator

REQUIRED

long sleeves rolled up

RECOMMENDED

long pants

no PPE needed

REQUIRED

shoes

or

boots

RECOMMENDED

ear plugs

or

ear muffs

RECOMMENDED

N95

do not wear clothing that may get caught in moving parts, such as neck ties or dangling jewelry
do not wear gloves as they can get caught in moving parts

NO open toed shoes

or

slip-on- types in the woodshop

generates loud noise when cutting

recommended if generating large amounts of dust
 

OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN USING THIS MACHINE:

  • The saw blade should be clear of the fence and table when the machine is turned on. The blade should then be lowered until it lightly cuts into the table surface
  • When crosscutting material more than 1" thick, the fence must be positioned immediately behind the fixed front table board
  • Remember that you are pulling the saw in the direction of blade rotation. You must have complete control of the saw handle as you slowly pull it towards you
  • Pull the saw blade across the work, just far enough to cut the wood, and return the saw blade to its starting position before turning off the saw
  • Turn on the dust collector when using this tool. Make sure the blast gate is open for the radial arm saw and the blast gates for the miter saw is closed
         
         
         
         
         
 
Last modified May 23, 2007